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Old May 6, 2011 | 3:16 pm
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I've taken poison ivy lotion in WMD-size bottles on occasion and declared them as medicine. The clerks seem more annoyed than anything. They might look at it like they know what they are looking at. They might swab the bottle or something.
But, stick to your guns if they try to confiscate it. Be prepared to elevate and play the practicing medicine without a license card if necessary.
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Old May 6, 2011 | 3:51 pm
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I don't know if you like any of these:
http://www.coolibar.com/
"Every Coolibar clothing product is UPF 50+, 98% UV Protection
Why we are so good at what we do.
Our SUNTECT brand leads in the creation of innovative new fabrics and the use of proprietary processes for multi-stage testingeach fabric is washed at least 40 times and subjected to over 100 hours of UVA/UVB rays. Our commitment to you is that we will only offer garments that provide the ultimate protection, not just when you buy them, but every single time they are worn."

One of my kids wore their products for 5 days on the beach in Puerto Rico. The clothing worked great - not even a freckle!
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Old May 6, 2011 | 4:00 pm
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What my DOCTOR says . . .

For what it's worth, I was diagnosed 4 years ago with malignant melanoma. Fortunately, I had one of the top specialists in the world as my doctor (he teaches at UCSF), and I was cured (knock on wood) surgically.

My doctor made it absolutely clear that I should use a UVA/UVB sun block every day and never expose myself to the sun. I don't much care about what an anonymous Wikipedia entry says. I'll go by what my doctor says, particularly given that he is the one who teaches other oncological dermatologists.

My wife buys us Neutragena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, which is SPF 100+.
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Old May 6, 2011 | 4:22 pm
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Originally Posted by clg7996
I'm glad they don't run puppies through scanners!
That will change the day after a pet dies on a trip, and they discover drugs being smuggled in condoms in its body. To the TSA, drugs = PETN because it could have been a really bad guy's pet. Then either pets get x-rayed or (like toner cartridges) blanket-banned as a knee-jerk reaction.
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Old May 6, 2011 | 4:31 pm
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Target Stores' house brand "Up and Up" line includes an affordable SPF 100 sheer sunblock lotion sold in 3 oz tubes. I bought a bunch a year ago before a trip to Egypt, and it worked perfectly. The UPC code on it is 71661 82310. The tube's dimensions are such that it fits in your one quart Magic Blast Proof Safety Baggie. The tube has a customer service phone number on it - 1-800-910-6874 - you could call if you have trouble finding it at your local store.

I've carried duplicates of the same item in my Magic Blast Proof Safety Baggie; they are usually turned to face in different directions and/or obscured by other items. You can also ask other members of your party to carry some of your duplicates, in exchange for you doing the same favor for them.
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Old May 6, 2011 | 4:43 pm
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Why are people concerned with duplicates in their 3-1-1 bags?
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Old May 6, 2011 | 5:27 pm
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If the sunscreen is declared as "medical," does it still need to be less than 100ml?
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Old May 6, 2011 | 5:30 pm
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Originally Posted by Mimi111
Why are people concerned with duplicates in their 3-1-1 bags?
Because the Carry-on Commandments are so many and in flux it's hard to keep 'em all straight.
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Old May 6, 2011 | 6:41 pm
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Originally Posted by atk5015
If the sunscreen is declared as "medical," does it still need to be less than 100ml?
No - that's the whole point of doing the medical declaration.
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Old May 6, 2011 | 7:51 pm
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Originally Posted by atk5015
If the sunscreen is declared as "medical," does it still need to be less than 100ml?
Zing!
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Old May 6, 2011 | 8:36 pm
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Originally Posted by atk5015
If the sunscreen is declared as "medical," does it still need to be less than 100ml?
This sounds like a you-tube moment just waiting to happen.

A declaration is not necessary, IMO. If I remember correctly, every bottle of sunscreen clearly indicates is purpose is to prevent cancer. Given that sunscreen has no other likely purpose and it is recommended by the government for medical purposes, it couldn't logically be considered anything other than a medical liquid. The trick, IMO, is justifying what amount is medically necessary to carny on.
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Old May 6, 2011 | 9:06 pm
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Originally Posted by ScatterX
This sounds like a you-tube moment just waiting to happen.

A declaration is not necessary, IMO. If I remember correctly, every bottle of sunscreen clearly indicates is purpose is to prevent cancer. Given that sunscreen has no other likely purpose and it is recommended by the government for medical purposes, it couldn't logically be considered anything other than a medical liquid. The trick, IMO, is justifying what amount is medically necessary to carny on.
...and when they start making these types of judgments as we have heard and read about, such as the clerk who decided how much breast milk that (ironically) a couple of husband/wife pediatricians needed for their flight, is when they cross the line of practicing medicine. It's an interesting way for some of them to reach the apex of a mediocre career.
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Old May 6, 2011 | 9:14 pm
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Originally Posted by ScatterX
This sounds like a you-tube moment just waiting to happen.

A declaration is not necessary, IMO. If I remember correctly, every bottle of sunscreen clearly indicates is purpose is to prevent cancer. Given that sunscreen has no other likely purpose and it is recommended by the government for medical purposes, it couldn't logically be considered anything other than a medical liquid. The trick, IMO, is justifying what amount is medically necessary to carny on.
Yes, but what is the point of toothpaste? Also medical, but that doesn't seem to matter.
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Old May 6, 2011 | 9:58 pm
  #29  
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Sunscreen in checked bags would do the trick.. why have it in your carry on, unless you really need it?
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Old May 6, 2011 | 10:32 pm
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Originally Posted by SATTSO
I know very well how expensive that type of sunscreen can be. Read my other post. And to answer your question, yes I have, the first time - it was a learning experience for me. Actually working in baggage for TSA taught me the solution.

People use strong tape, like duct tape or some such thing, and tape their bottles of lotion/sunscreen shut. Really wrap the stuff up. And then the place the item in plastic bags. They have sicossors in the checked bag, and when they get to where they are going, cut it open. Its now what I do, and since then haven't had a problem. And that includes trips with multiple flight changes going half way around the world.
That sounds like a good idea, although I'm sure there's a limit to how much pressure such a contraption can withstand. Wouldn't the TSA bag checkers want to unwrap the tape and open the container though? After all they don't know what's in there. Nevertheless I will definitely try it next time I travel. Even without the silly TSA limitations I typically carry too much sunscreen with me not to check it.
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